HUD AWARDS NEW HAVEN’S LEAD-BASED PAINT HAZARD CONTROL PROGRAM WITH A “GREEN” DESIGNATION

(9/14/2009) NEW HAVEN- The City of New Haven’s Lead-Based Paint Hazard Control Program recently received a “green” designation from HUD’s Office of Healthy Homes and Lead Hazard Control. This designation is based on an assessment of New Haven’s overall performance for the April through June quarter.

The Office of Healthy Homes and Lead Control Hazard awarded New Haven a rating of 100 out of 100, as the program has met and/or exceeded its benchmarks and milestones for the quarter. Specifically, the City’s Lead-Based Paint Hazard Control Program is ahead of schedule in target assessments and evaluations, target outreach events and target individuals trained.

Lead poisoning is a serious disease that can cause intellectual and behavioral damage to children who are exposed to lead at a young age. The number one source of lead is lead-based paint, which exists in nearly three quarters of U.S. homes built prior to 1980.

This year, the City of New Haven received an additional $3,000,000 in HUD funding for its lead abatement program. The majority of this grant has been set aside to provide qualifying property owners with forgivable loans of up to $10,000 per unit for lead-based paint hazard control in housing built prior to 1978. These deferred loans are completely forgiven after five years, clearing borrowers of any financial obligation.

“We have been able to significantly reduce the number of lead poisoning cases in the City through our abatement program, but the next step is for property owners to take advantage of the funds that are available,” said Paul Kowalski, who oversees the City of New Haven’s Lead-Based Paint Hazard Control Program. “We want to end childhood exposure to lead and the only way to achieve this goal is by abating lead-paint from all New Haven housing units.”

The forgivable loans are administered by the Greater New Haven Community Loan Fund (GNHCLF) on behalf of the City of New Haven. For details on loan eligibility or to apply, please contact the Community Loan Fund at 203-624-7406 or www.gnhclf.org.

New Haven’s Lead-Based Paint Hazard Control Program is a collaborative partnership between the City’s Department of Health, Livable City Initiative and the Yale Lead Program and Regional Treatment Center. For more information about the program, please contact Paul Kowalski at (203)-926-8173.